Northern Ireland

Partner of republican accuses MI5 of lodging £300 in bank account

Arlene Shannon claims intelligence agencies put £300 in her bank account. Picture by Mal McCann
Arlene Shannon claims intelligence agencies put £300 in her bank account. Picture by Mal McCann Arlene Shannon claims intelligence agencies put £300 in her bank account. Picture by Mal McCann

A woman has accused MI5 of lodging £300 in her bank account without her permission.

Arlene Shannon, whose partner is north Belfast republican Aidan Ferguson, also claimed that she and her 15-year-old son have regularly been targeted in police ‘stop and search’ operations.

Ms Shannon said the money mysteriously appeared in her account when she checked it online last month.

She said she also received two text messages from a woman calling herself Helen, with one saying: “Hi Arlene, money in the bank is for you. Don’t worry, no strings attached. Hope to chat to you sometime, give me a call if I can help further.”

The mother-of-three claimed that bank officials have confirmed the cash was lodged by a man who walked into a branch in Bangor, Co Down.

She said she will give it to charity but the incident has left her "freaked out".

Ms Shannon said she decided to speak out after a stop and search operation last week when her teenage son, who has mental health issues, was searched.

Mr Ferguson said he and "at least 10 people" he knows have been approached in recent years by intelligence agencies asking them to provide information.

The republican claimed there has been an increase in stop and search operations and approaches to members of anti-agreement party Saoradh since it was launched last month.

Members intend to hold a protest on the Falls Road later today.

A PSNI spokesman said stop and search powers are an "important tool" and are used when it is "lawful and appropriate to do so".

He said he "recognises that there are alternative views" but police are willing to discuss these views with interested parties.

"Where there is any learning to be gained by police from individual incidents, this will be reflected upon. However, we will continue to do our job to protect the community from harm."